Writing Funny is a podcast for and about witty women writers.
Comedian, author and actress Helen Lederer and author Chrissie Manby chat about how to write, where to write, when to write and the holy grail for every writer: how to find an agent and get published.
Each week, Helen and Chrissie hear from authors shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize, who reveal the habits, quirks and secrets behind their work.
Writing Funny celebrates the joy, chaos and creativity of being a writer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
In our season finale, we go backstage at the 2026 Comedy Women in Print (CWIP) Awards with guest host, the fabulous Alison Bell. What happens when a room full of witty women writers gets together to celebrate? Featuring interviews with icons Alison Steadman, Vicki Michelle, Kathy Lette and so many more.
Helen also chats to CWIP sponsor Wizz Selvey from Valerie, a wellness brand for perimenopausal women, about why supporting funny women matters.
This episode celebrates what it means to be part of a community of witty writers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Sept 2026
Unpublished to Published
This week, Helen and Chrissie chat all things industry, sharing their insights on how you go from unpublished to published. What steps do you need to take when approaching literary agents? How do you self-publish? And most importantly, keep writing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Sept 2026
The Art of Process
Are you a writer who plans everything before you start, or do you discover the story as you go?
This week, Helen and Chrissie look at the art of process, looking at the many ways writers work and why there’s no one perfect approach. What’s your process? Do you need a detailed structure and clear roadmap, or do you prefer to follow your instincts?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1 Sept 2026
Inspiration
Where do ideas come from? And once you’ve got one, how do you know whether it’s the one worth following?
Helen and Chrissie talk about finding inspiration, turning the things around you into ideas, and the surprisingly difficult process of choosing which one to pursue. How do you narrow them down, and what makes an idea stick?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
25 Aug 2026
Writing Comedy in Dark Times
This week, Helen and Chrissie explore how they find the funny and the power of humour when the world can sometimes feel so dark.
How do you write comedy when everything around you feels heavy? They get into the reality of writing comedy in difficult times, where the ideas come from, what makes them laugh, and how the world around them finds its way into their work. When things feel heavy, how do you find the funny?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Aug 2026
Finding Your Community
How do you find your community? In this episode, Helen and Chrissie talk about how they found their people in the early days of their writing careers, the places and connections that helped them feel less alone, the power of a mentor, and why having support around you is so important when you're finding your feet as a writer.
Writing might be a solo job, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Aug 2026
A Writer’s Journey
Helen and Chrissie explore the winding, wonderful and often unexpected path to becoming a writer. What makes someone start writing? Where do the ideas come from? And how does a book make its way from a scribbled thought to a finished novel?
They both share stories from their own early writing days, alongside authors shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print prize, who reveal what inspired them to write and how they got started.
From the highs and lows to the dreams and determination, this episode celebrates what it really means to become a writer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Aug 2026
Sneak Peek
Get ready! Writing Funny launches this week..
This season, comedian Helen Lederer and Author Chrissie Manby delve into the world of being a writer.
The joy, the process, the chaos, the community, the dreams, the inspiration, and MUCH more.
New episodes start Wednesday 12th August!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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